it was a unit of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was a unit of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a specific measurement or category that something belongs to, often in scientific or technical contexts. Example: "In the context of physics, it was a unit of measurement that defined the force applied."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was a unit of land tenure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was a unit of the Green Mountain Power Corporation, a utility based in South Burlington, until the Wyly family of Dallas bought a controlling interest in August 1997.

The New York Times

Ms. Sikes, whose company was publicly held for a brief period when it was a unit of Ashford.com (which is also now privately held), said the new public offerings had immediate effects.

The New York Times

Her father was a director at a software company, and her brother and sister both work at the accounting firm Accenture, though Ms. Prebble said that neither was at the firm when it was a unit of Arthur Anderson, which failed in the Enron scandal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A modern currency has many meanings for its society: It is a unit of accounting, a universal measure of price, a store of value, the representative of its country's economy, a symbol of personal success (if you have enough), an object of obsession and, for some, the source of all evil.

Forbes

It is a unit of Renong, Malaysia's biggest company.

The New York Times

It is a unit of the financial services arm of Dominion, which is based in Richmond, Va.

The New York Times

It is a unit of the huge state-controlled natural gas monopoly, Gazprom.

The New York Times

The first you hear of Iggy Pop on "Fun House," the second album by his old band the Stooges, is "uuuhh!" This, perhaps, is a unit of thought; here it is a unit of music.

The New York Times

And of course it's a unit of measurement; administrators love to see how we spend our time so that they can evaluate trade-offs between teaching, research and other duties.

The Guardian

Many people who cite studies by the Lewin Group do not know it is a unit of Ingenix, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Health one of the nation's largest insurers.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it was a unit of", ensure the context clearly defines what larger entity the unit belongs to, providing clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was a unit of" without clearly specifying the larger organization or system. For example, instead of saying "It was a unit of the company", specify "It was a unit of the marketing department within the company" to provide precise information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was a unit of" serves as a relational phrase, indicating that something belongs to or is part of a larger entity. As Ludwig AI points out, this construction establishes a hierarchical relationship. Examples show usage across various contexts, including organizational structures and measurement systems.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was a unit of" effectively conveys that something is a component or part of a larger entity, usually within a structured system or organization. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its varied usage across contexts, including news, science, encyclopedias and wikis. While relatively uncommon, the phrase serves a clear purpose in specifying relationships between entities. Remember to clearly specify the larger structure to which the unit belongs, avoiding ambiguity and enhancing clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it acted as an element of

Highlights the subject's role as one of several key components contributing to the overall composition or function of something.

it was a constituent of

Stresses the subject's essential nature as a building block or component that is necessary for the whole.

it comprised a segment of

Focuses on the subject being a distinct and identifiable portion of a larger whole, useful when discussing quantifiable parts.

it was a subsection of

Similar to 'segment', but emphasizes a subdivision within a larger section, indicating a more granular level of organization.

it constituted a division of

Emphasizes the organizational structure and that the subject formed a distinct part within a larger entity, focusing on structure more than function.

it formed a branch of

Suggests a hierarchical or branching structure, where the subject extends from a central point or entity.

it functioned as a module of

Highlights the operational aspect, suggesting the subject had a specific role or function within the broader system.

it represented a section of

Implies that the subject is a representative part of a larger group or category, often used in statistical or analytical contexts.

it belonged to the department of

Highlights affiliation, or association of something with something else

it fell under the umbrella of

Indicates that the subject was governed or controlled by a larger organization or entity, often implying oversight or protection.

FAQs

What does "it was a unit of" mean?

The phrase "it was a unit of" means that something was a component, department, or division within a larger organization, system, or structure. It indicates that the item in question was part of a bigger whole.

How can I use "it was a unit of" in a sentence?

Use "it was a unit of" to describe something that forms part of a larger entity. For example: "The department "it was a unit of" the parent company, responsible for all marketing activities".

What are some alternatives to saying "it was a unit of"?

Alternatives to "it was a unit of" include phrases like "it constituted a division of", "it comprised a segment of", or "it acted as an element of", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between saying "it was a unit of" and "it was part of"?

While both phrases indicate belonging to a larger entity, "it was a unit of" suggests a more structured or organized relationship, often within a formal organization or system. "It was part of" is more general and can refer to less formal relationships.